Harriet Fell’s updates to the site

While John is plugging away at adding new material to the site, I continue to work on cleaning up the code. I had started converting files to XHTML but I am now converting to HTML5 instead. I am trying to give the pages a more uniform layout for easier maintenance and I try to repair the syntax and check on broken links as I work on the files. Someday, I may get to the end of this task and start writing but I fear it shall all be like “Albert’s Bridge” by Tom Stoppard. When I get to the end, it will be time to start again.

Hi there, wonder if you can help me. My husband and I argue over the price and quality of bikes necessary for our 3 children. He goes for cheap and heavy and prefer to spend more on a lighter frame for them.
I told him that when I was 13 (in 1977) my parents bought me a Raleigh Arena racing bike. It was a great ride and lasted for years. I have tried to find out from Raleigh what the retail price would have been back then but they can’t help. Any idea how much it would have cost back then (so I can put the price into perspective with modern day pricing) so I can pursuade my husband that spending more is worth while? I did look at your Raleigh Catalogue but it didn’t help either I’m afraid.

Children outgrow bicycles quickly but then you have the advantage in that you can do hand-me-downs in your own family. My advice is to get good bicycles — used, from another family whose children have outgrown them. Some of the cheaper ones are barely serviceable.